Paxlovid: A Hero Against COVID, But Not Long COVID

Paxlovid May Not Reduce Your Risk of Long-Term Effects from COVID-19

Paxlovid Unlikely to Reduce Your Odds of Long COVID

In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the antiviral drug Paxlovid has emerged as a powerful weapon. However, a recent study has raised doubts about its effectiveness in preventing long-term symptoms associated with the virus.

According to findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, nearly 9,600 veterans who were treated with Paxlovid showed a similar risk of post-COVID side effects as those who were not treated with the medication. Lead researcher Dr. George Ioannou from the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle suggests that otherwise healthy individuals infected with COVID-19 might be wasting their time by taking Paxlovid to ward off long-term symptoms.

Now, let’s dive into the battlefield and understand the context. Paxlovid, also known as nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, is typically prescribed for COVID patients at high risk of severe infection or death due to underlying health issues. If you’re only taking Paxlovid to prevent complications, you might want to rethink your strategy.

While studies have shown Paxlovid to effectively reduce the risk of hospitalization or death from a new COVID infection, the story takes a different turn when it comes to long COVID. Around 1 in 5 COVID survivors aged 18 to 62, and 1 in 4 individuals aged 65 or older, develop lingering symptoms that can persist for weeks, months, or even years.

The study aimed to determine whether Paxlovid provided any ongoing benefits beyond the initial 30 days of infection. The researchers analyzed health records of 9,593 veterans with COVID who were treated with Paxlovid between January and July 2022. They tracked their health for six months after the infection, looking for any of the 31 potential post-COVID conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, kidney problems, digestive system disorders, cognitive issues like depression and anxiety, and general complaints like fatigue and erectile dysfunction.

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The findings were intriguing. While Paxlovid did seem to reduce the occurrence of one post-COVID health problem—blood clotting—other symptoms remained unaffected. The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Ioannou, highlights that blood clotting events have been consistently linked to COVID and that Paxlovid showed promise in mitigating this risk.

However, the results also suggested that long COVID might have other contributing factors beyond the severity of the initial infection. Brain fog, a common long COVID symptom, was recently associated with decreased serotonin levels in patients. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania attributed this phenomenon to viral remnants of SARS-CoV-2 found in the gut after infection. This raises questions about the role of an antiviral medication like Paxlovid in addressing long COVID symptoms.

So, what’s the key takeaway from all this? If you’re a healthy individual who’s caught COVID, taking Paxlovid might not be the magic potion that prevents long-term symptoms. Vaccination, on the other hand, has shown promising results in reducing the risk of long COVID. As Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University advises, it’s crucial to get vaccinated to lower the chances of experiencing the lingering effects of the virus.

While the battle continues and conflicting data emerges, it’s essential to stay informed. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or a specialist to navigate through the sea of contradictory information. Remember, they can curate and guide you through the evolving landscape of COVID and long COVID research.

For more information on long COVID, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Sources: George Ioannou, MD, MS, Director, Hepatology, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Wash.; William Schaffner, MD, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.; Fernando Carnavali, MD, Internist, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City; Annals of Internal Medicine, Oct. 31, 2023.

What do you think about the latest study on Paxlovid and long COVID? Are you surprised by the findings? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Together, we can navigate this ever-changing battlefield of COVID-19. Stay safe and stay informed!